Police arrest 36 suspects, recover stolen Motorcycle, Goats, Weapons in Niger

By Daniel Ebi,Minna.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 36 suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state for offences ranging from criminal conspiracy, thuggery, illegal possession of dangerous weapons, armed robbery, theft, illegal mining and possession of illicit substances.

The Command said the arrests were made during coordinated raids and patrol operations conducted between July 4 and July 7, 2026, as part of efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, operatives attached to Tudun-Wada Division carried out sting operations on July 4 and 5 at identified criminal blackspots in Kafintella, Sauka-Kahuta and Building Materials Road, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects.

The suspects were found in possession of dangerous weapons, including a long curved sickle, a digger, sticks and a shovel. During interrogation, they reportedly confessed to travelling from Yobe State to Minna to engage in illegal mining. 

They have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

In a related operation carried out between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on July 6, operatives of ‘A’ Division, Minna, raided several blackspots, including PZ area, Angwan-Kaje, Saiko, Abdusalam Quarters, Tudun-Natsira and Paida, where 17 suspects were arrested.

Among those arrested was a notorious wanted thug identified as Abdulkarim Mohammed, popularly known as “Na-Kareemu,” who had allegedly been evading arrest over previous criminal activities. Police recovered four cutlasses, two knives, suspected cannabis and other illicit substances from the suspects, who are currently under investigation.

The Command also announced the recovery of a stolen Bajaj motorcycle on July 7 during a routine patrol around the Highpoint area of Minna. Police said the suspect abandoned the motorcycle and fled after sighting the patrol team. 

The owner later identified and reclaimed the motorcycle, while efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect are ongoing.

In Mokwa, police arrested five suspects over the alleged theft of 17 goats. The suspects were intercepted while loading the animals into a Toyota Corolla along the Mokwa Bypass Road. Investigations revealed that the goats had allegedly been stolen within Mokwa town and were being transported to Bida for sale.

 The recovered animals have been returned to their owners, while the suspects are expected to be charged in court after investigations.

The Command further disclosed the arrest of two suspected armed robbers and phone snatchers at about 11:00 p.m. on July 7 around the M.I. Wushishi Estate/Living Faith Junction in Minna. 

The suspects were intercepted on a motorcycle with a face mask, a sharp cutlass, suspected cannabis, other illicit substances, jewellery and ₦22,000. They are undergoing further investigation before transfer to the SCID.

In another development, police arrested a suspect accused of stealing Point of Sale (POS) machines at Bakin-Iku along Kaduna Road. 

The suspect allegedly swapped a shop owner’s POS terminal with another device while pretending to purchase an item. A search reportedly led to the recovery of three POS machines and three ATM cards.

The Command also arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged theft of cash from a businessman in Kwamba. 

Police said the prime suspect confessed to secretly entering the victim’s house through the kitchen and escaping through the ceiling after stealing money on several occasions.

 A total of ₦330,000 and four mobile phones were recovered during the investigation.
SP Abiodun said investigations into all the cases are ongoing, adding that the suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.